Interesting Election Videos

Here are three interesting Malaysiakini videos.

Promises, Promises, Promises

What is it with the Barisan Nasional and particularly Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, making promises that we have heard before and showing statistics that is utterly confusing. No point showing us those statistics as we know what you have done for the past five years. What is glaringly obvious is that prices have gone up, crime rate has gone up, corruption is also on the up.

Pak Lah has no idea how to manage the economy, prices are spiraling up and this is confirmed by the Central Bank. Read the report on what Bank Negara says about inflation in Malaysiakini here.

As for the promises, BN did not do it when they had five years of power they are unlikely to do it in the next five. It is pehaps apt that we follow DAP's tagline "Just Change It"

PAS In Front At Kelantan

PAS had just won its first state seat in Kelantan. PAS' woman candidate Wan Ubaidah Omar secured the Kijang state seat in Kelantan when the BN candidate Mustopha Ahmed was disqualified for having been declared a bankrupt.

Read the latest at Malaysiakini here.

How stupid of Barisan Nasional to try to field a bankrupt. Mustopha Ahmed obviously did not declare that he is a bankrupt when picked by BN. But why did Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin who is slotted to be the Mentri Besar if BN wins not check the background of Mustopha first? He was after all the ex-deputy Governor of Bank Negara. This is indeed a slap on him and BN Kelantan. Good for PAS though.

ISA Detainee To Contest State Seat

An Internal Security Act detainee, M Manoharan will be contesting in the Kota Alam Shah state Assembly seat. Manoharan is a lawyer and Hindraf leader.

You can read the full story at Malaysiakini here.

It will be interesting to see how this one develops. What happens if he wins? Will he be freed? or will he just be released to attend the state assembly and be put back to detention each night.

I sure hope he wins. If the voters voted for him than it is a clear sign that the people are against the ISA.

A Child Recites The Quran

Video Promoting PAS

PAS Buktikan Agenda Kebajikan dan Kesejahteraan Rakyat

Hooray Fong Is Back

I am glad that DAP MP for Perak's Batu Gajah Fong Po Kuan has changed her mind and will be contesting the seat after all. We should not lose good people like her.

You can read the full report at Malaysiakini here or at her blog here.

Latest Demand From Islamic NGOs

This is the latest demands by Islamic NGOs taken from Malaysiakini.





Ini merupakan tuntutan Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia sempena Pilihanraya Ke12 kepada Calon-Calon Pilihanraya (Parlimen & Dun) Pertubuhan Parti-Parti Politik Malaysia Kerajaan Yang Bakal Dibentuk (Pusat & Negeri)Pemimpin Masyarakat & Rakyat Malaysia.

You can read the full document at myislamnetwork.net here

I agree with most of the demands.

Anwar Should Answer This

I AM NOT AN ADMIRER OF Khairy Jamaluddin, but in the speech that he made at Kampung Kerinchi, he was quoted in Malaysiakini as saying ""He (Anwar) acts like he cares about the rakyat. What has he ever done for the rakyat when he was in Umno and as finance minister?".

You can read the full story here

I think a lot of people will agree to this and Anwar should give an answer to this question.

Khairy also said that something which I find quite amusing. "DAP main PAS dari kanan, PAS main DAP dari kiri, PKR main dua-dua dari belakang!"

Phantom Votes Again

It is surprising that the issue of phantom votes always surfaces during election time and it seems that the Election Commission cannot and will not do anything about it.

The latest case is in Penang where 500 voters are registered at a derelict building.

Read at Malaysiakini here.

How could this continue to happen, and the Election Commission always gets away with it on an earlier feeble explanation that these cases of voters providing the same addresses are because when they don't have a home address and a common address was used for convenience.

This is ridiculous to say the least.

Never Neglect Your Prayers

This man is praying even when he is underwater. What excuse do we have for missing our prayers?

More Goodies For Indians And Chinese

Why is it the Government is only now approving the goodies worth more than RM100 million that have been promised for the Chinese and Indian Communities.

You can read the link at Malaysiakini here.

This clearly shows that the Government is doing it just so that they can garner more votes from the electorate. Why is it that promises are made only when election is near.

It is up to the voters now to decide whether or not the Barisan Nasional is sincere or merely an election gimmick. It is indeed good when there are elections or by-elections as that is when all the goodies will be distributed. Voters should take full advantage of it.

Don't Go Yet Fong

What a shock it is to read in Malaysiakini that the DAP member of Parliamnent for Batu Gajah had announced that she would not be contesting in the coming general election. Read the story here.

Fong is one of those hardworking MPs that often bring up issues in the parliament. She quitting would be a lost to the nation and DAP. Fong has cited development of internal party events in the DAP Perak over the last few years as well as currently” made it “impossible for me to continue serving effectively, efficiently and wholeheartedly”.

“Under such circumstances and in the best interest of all concerned, I have arrived at this unavoidable and difficult decision,” she said.

It is sad that it happened now, when the Barisan Nasional government seems to be weak under Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and it is the best chance for the DAP to gain more seats in the coming election.

DAP should get its act together, enough of internal squabbles. If it cannot even be united in the party how would it be under Barisan Alternative.

I hope that this issue can be resolved soon, and that Fong will be persuaded to stay, as she has a lot more to do as MP.

Pictures Of Our PM

These are old pictures of Pak Lah. It is just a reminder to all of us of the Prime Minister that we now have.

No Rose For Pak Lah

It seems that you cannot even give a rose to Pak Lah, without being teargassed, water cannoned and nabbed.

See videos from Malaysiakini below.

PM To Decide On Her Future

Why is is politicians like to say, "I am leaving it to the Priome Minister to decide my future." The latest one to say that is Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz. She was quoted in the New Straits Times as saying that she wants to continue serving as an elected representative. However, she is leaving her future to Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Rafidah has been an MP since 1978, that's 30 years. Yes 30 long years. Rafidah and others like her should step aside and give the seat to other younger candidates who can inject new ideas into the lethargic government. No need to use the oft repeated statement, I have still a lot more to contribute. Maybe it is true but give the chance to someone younger a chance who can definitely contribute lots more. And stop also saying I leave it to the PM to decide, Just leave.

Tian Chua Arrested Again

This is a video clip from Malaysiakini on the Bersih presih that was disrupted and where Tian Chua Was Arrested Yet Again.

Will Samy Vellu be Dropped

This has been the talk of town for many weeks now, and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi coy answers when asked about Samy Veel has also added fuel to the speculations. Read report in Malaysiakini here.

But truth be told. I do not think that Samy Vellu will be dropped. Tradition in the Barisan Nasional is always that leaders of the MIC and MCA will always contest the polls. Furthermore if during the reign of Tun Dr Mahathir he is not able to drop Samy Vellu, it is not possible that our weak Prime Minister will be able to do so.

Samy Vellu confidently said "I don’t think there will be a swing of votes from the Indian community. Indian voters are those at home and not on the streets so I don’t believe that there would be a vote swing coming from the Indian community in this country."

It is up to the voters now to prove him wrong.

Lagu Mengundi Klasik

This I think is the song for the first general election.

Election Flags In Terengganu

We will definitely see more of this throughout the country soon.
This video from Malaysiakini.

Where Will Pak Lah Get Honest Candidates?

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said today that Barisan Nasional would ensure only able candidates who can serve the people with honesty, integrity and efficiency are fielded in the coming general election.

Read the Malaysiakini story here.

My question is where is he going to get all these people. He should also rule himself out as he is not honest as he lied on Tuesday that Parliament will not be dissolved on 13 February.

Well, I think like everything else that Pak Lah has said, this is merely a statement that is not to be believed, as chances are he will bring back the corrupt jokers and all. Just wait and see on Feb 24 nomination day.

DAP, Don't Be Bogged Down By Petty Issues

I do not know why Lim Kit Siang is making an issue on whether or not Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had actually obtained the consent of the King to dissolve the Parliament. He even dared the Prime Minister to show the consent letter.

Read the article at Malaysiakini here.

His son Lim Guan Eng has also expressed his unhappiness with RTM. Just accept that Parliament has been dissolved and that the media will not be doing you any favours.

Come DAP, forget about this petty issues. There are plenty of things that you can and should highlight like the rising corruption, rising prices, increase crime rate, the weakness of the PM, the deterioration of our education system and so on. These are things that everyone would agree with you. So please focus on these issues instead of the petty stuff.

What Is The PM Thinking?

I wonder what the Prime Minister is thinking. Yesterday, he said that Parliament will not be dissolved today. Then today he made the announcement that Parliament has been dissolved, paving the way for the 12th general election. Even making the decision for the all important election he seems to be dithering and indecisive.

Read full report in Malaysiakini here.

Anyway, I am glad that all these speculations have come to an end and the actual date of the election will be announced tomorrow.

I love elections, listening to all the campaigning, propaganda from the government media, and every available space is filled with posters and banners. This year I will also be monitoring the blogs to get the 'alternative views'.

The next few weeks will be interesting times. Just can't wait for the election carnival to begin.

Can't Get Any Worst Than This.

The three revelations that was made by Lingam's former secretary, G.Jayanthi is very bad and I don't see how the judicial system can recover from this.

The three revelations are:

1. That Lingam wrote the judgment for the RM10 million defamation suit for former High Court Judge Datuk Mokhtar Sidin.
2. All flight tickets for the New Zealand holiday Lingam, former chief justice Tun Mohamed Eusoff Chin and their families took in 1994 were arranged by Jayanthi.
3. ACA officers gave Jayanthi RM3,000.

You can read the full story at Malaysiakini here.

I do not think that it can get any worst than this for Malaysia. If what Jayanthi said is true, than it is absolutely true than what people have been thinking all along that the judical system in Malaysia is corrupt is certainly true. Not only that but the Anti Corruption Agency that has been entrusted to eliminate corruption is themselves corrupted. What is happening?

Dropping Veterans, Very Unlikely

Samu Vellu has been urged to drop veterans from contesting in the next general election as reported in Malaysiakini here. What has been suggested should be followed by all parties including UMNO. It is time we had more young blood in the parliament.

The sad thing is with the exception of Negri Sembilan MIC deputy chairperson Dr L Krishnan, not many will follow in his footsteps. All would rather cling on to power even though they have long past their sell by date. Some use the excuse that there are a lot of things left that they have to do. Come on, if there were things to be done they should have done that when they were in office. If they are not able to do it during their nearly 10 years in office (two terms) they are unlikely to do it in the next five or ten years.

Some would say that they are willing to step down if the party president ask them to do so. What the heck? Just step down. Period.

But I think that veteran MPs willingly stepping down will not happen happen as most of them will be following the leader of UMNO and MIC, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, who even though are veterans themselves will be unlikely to willingly step down. Not for this coming general election anyway.

Furious With CIMB

I am really furious and fed-up with CIMB Bank. This morning my wife received a letter from CIMB dated 5 February 2008 which I reproduce as below:


"According to our records, your account is in arrears as detailed below:

Installment due as at 02/02/2008 RM 604.48
Overdue Interest RM 00.00
Miscellaneous Charge RM 56.91
Total Amount Due RM 661.39


Kindly settle the above amount immediately to avoid any additional charges and further action."

Please note that my wife was never late in paying her car loan. But this month since Feb 1 falls on Hari Wilayah and a holiday, she was unable to pay on that day. Saturday (2/05) and Sunday (3/05) the bank is closed. So she was only able to pay on Monday , 4 February.

The bank sending her this letter is totally unjustified. Pray tell, CIMB how could she pay any sooner seeing that the bank is closed from 1 to 3 February. Why send her the letter? And to add insult to injury, there was a RM56.91 miscellaneous charge. The miscellaneous charge was not explained. What is it for? For sending the letter that was not supposed to be sent in the first place?

I give up with CIMB, after this car loan is paid off, we are not going to take any other loan from CIMB. I am also advising my friends and relatives to stop banking with CIMB. And if they are thinking of taking a loan with CIMB, they should forget it!

On another note, I also have a housing loan with Affin Bank, and I have no such problem with them.

A Dare To Suhakam Chief

The five year old daughter Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy invites Suhakam chairman Abu Talib Othman to accompany her and other children on February 16 to give Valentine's day roses to the PM.
Let us see how this develops.

Read the Malaysiakini report here

The video clip is below.

Talk By South African Mufti

There will be a Special Lecture by Syaikh Seraj Hendricks, the Head of Mufti, Cape Town, South Africa: on the topic Building A Muslim Family in the Modern World: Lessons from Islamic Spirituality on Friday, February 8, 2008 (Malam Sabtu) at 7.30 pm. at the Masjid Al-Bukhary, Jalan Hang Tuah. Kuala Lumpur.All are invited.

Synopsis of the Talk
Muslim families are living in a time where values tend to be turning upside down, and family life as the very heart of society is being attacked just as much as many other traditions. Almost everything around us today tends to minimize positive family values and principles.

Our families are a part of an increasingly immoral society; they have been attacked and polluted as well – whether we like it or not. Even though our values and principles may have helped us to resist these changes, like others in our society, we are still vulnerable to the negative influences around us.

Those weak in their Islamic practice and those lacking wisdom and judgment are
particularly likely to succumb to the today's mental poisoning. This lecture will examine the role of Islamic spirituality in overcoming the challenges, and how it can help in building a strong and resilient Muslim family in the modern world.

Please pass this information on to your friends. Thanks.

Spotted "Looks Like Me, Sounds Like Me"

I was having lunch at the Crowne Plaza Hotel yesterday when I spotted lawyer VK Lingam. At least I think it is VK Lingam as "it looks like him and sounds like him.":)

Anyway I got this from youtube, a funny VK lingam hip-hop remix.

Jail Criminals Not Doctors

It is indeed a sad day when a doctor has been jailed for three months for not registering his clinic under the new Private Health Act.Dr.Basmullah Yusuf became the first victim of the Act that was enacted under the previous Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

The website Malaysian Medical Resources is running a campaign against jailing doctors called the "Don’t Jail Doctors Blog Campaign". It Says: "The Government has begun to arrest and jail doctors on a technicality - not registering their clinic with the PHFSA. This act treats doctors like common criminals. These are community doctors who have not committed a serious crime but instead face an incredibly harsh sentence for their technical lapse.

Dr Basmullah Yusof, a family practitioner, is the first victim of this legislation. He was sentenced despite not having legal counsel representing him, despite pleading for leniency (he had wanted to sell the clinic anyway and is in financial trouble) and as he could not pay the hefty RM 120,000 fine, he is now in Kajang prison."

Demonstrations Does Work

Suddenly the Indians are getting all the attention in the run-up to the polls. The New Straits Times front paged Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak giving all sorts of assurances and doing more for the Indians. Among the benefits that have been promised are:

• Greater employment and promotional opportunities in the civil service;
• Better educational opportunities in public universities, especially in critical courses;
• More scholarships;
• Greater access to entrepreneurship training and micro-credit loans;
• Equitable participation in the share market;
• An effective urban poverty- eradication programme; and,
• A dedicated mechanism to monitor public-delivery services.

The question is why now? But as they say better late than never. This has also definitely got to the do with the demands and demonstrations that were done by Hindraf. Just goes to show that demonstrations does work and sometimes it is the only avenue that one has for the government to take notice and do something.

You can read the story at NST here and Malaysiakini here.

15 March Elections?

Speculations are rife that the elections will be held that on 15 March 2008, with parliament being dissolved on 1st March 2008. Everybody will be bracing themselves for the announcement by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

I for one am looking forward to the elections, as it is good to see the MPs going back to their kawasan, and lying through their teeth and start preaching that they have done a lot for the people they represented. Then there are all sorts of propaganda in the Media, how the opposition statements will be twisted and quoted out of context, so that they will be made to sound like a fool with no avenue to answer back except for the PAS newspaper Harakah. Hopefully more people would also turn to the internet to get a more balanced coverage of the news.

Then there is of course the poster war, where every empty space, be it walls, trees or lamp posts will be plastered with posters. The question is are people really influenced by the number of posters out there. I for one never based my decision to vote by who has more posters. I wonder if there are anybody who will say, I see there are more posters of this candidate so I must vote for him. I don’t think so.

There is also one interesting development, Tun Dr Mahathir had said that there is a gentlemen agreement between him and Pak Lah that Pak Lah will only serve for one term as Prime Minister. Pak Lah says that there is no such agreement. Nobody knows who is telling the truth. But it looks like Mahathir had made another mistake. Firstly for appointing Pak Lah as PM, and secondly for thinking Pak Lah is a gentlemen.

Even Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who would benefit the most if there was such an agreement says that he is not aware of any such agreement and that he will remain loyal to Pak Lah. Well, what else can he say?

You can read the story in Malaysiakini here.